Dragons Aren’t Lifeless But
Not solely have two KEMCO video games appeared over the area of a few weeks, however they each function the phrase “Dragon” within the title. On the again of Dragon Takers, does that imply we’re about to see dragons develop into the brand new cyberpunk? Effectively, it’s tough to say based mostly on the looks of two video games, however right here’s hoping, eh?
Now, I’m positive it can come as a shock to completely nobody that Lifeless Dragons, the sport we’re being provided by KEMCO this time, is a retro styled JRPG, only for a change, and so the one query that is still to be answered is that this: is it a recreation value enjoying, or are you higher off reaching for one of many many different KEMCO video games which can be kicking round on the Xbox retailer?
Effectively, include me to a world the place Dragons are usually not fairly as lifeless as everybody hoped…
Retro Visuals and a Distinctive Battle System
You’ll uncover that the presentation of Lifeless Dragons could be very a lot according to all the opposite KEMCO video games which have come to market through the years. Meaning you’ll discover a retro model, anime model characters and the necessity to go wandering round a world map/dungeon. There may be completely nothing new right here within the presentation, other than the way in which the battle display is introduced. You see, right here the change appears to be that the characters you management all get pleasure from combating in single file, one after the opposite. This does look bizarre, till you realise that there’s really a recreation mechanic tied to this structure. After which it nonetheless seems to be odd.
The audio can also be minimal. Aside from the battle music and the varied battle sound results, that’s just about it. You’ll not be shocked if I inform you that the narrative can also be customary fare, with static characters being displayed alongside what they should say. No shocks anyplace to be seen.
A Dragon’s Curse: Unveiling the Story of Lifeless Dragons
The story is the standard sort of overblown excessive fantasy stuff we’ve come to know and love from KEMCO too. This time round we play as Will, a younger man whose father believed that dragons had been nonetheless alive and kicking, although each final one was hunted down and killed 100 years in the past. Even Will doesn’t imagine in dragons, till he occurs to fulfill one on high of a mountain, and whereas saving a younger woman, he receives a Dragonscar on his again.
As if that wasn’t unhealthy sufficient, the Dragonscar continues to eat at Will’s life power, and the one method to do away with it’s to kill the dragon that put it there. There may be an upside although, because the Dragonscar additionally provides Will further powers, so not all unhealthy! Can he be saved? Effectively, that’s all the way down to your selections.
Strategic Manoeuvres
If you happen to’ve ever performed a KEMCO recreation, then you definitely’ll be conversant in how Lifeless Dragons performs as properly. Nonetheless, it does include a few little wrinkles that stand out. The primary of those is the ”modern Rotation Battle System”, which mainly permits us to maneuver our characters round within the single file queue they kind. The positions within the queue are that of Vanguard, who’s on the head of the road, the Middleguard (ran out of concepts right here, I reckon) who’s, imagine it or not, within the center, and eventually the Rearguard, who’s on the again.
What this permits us to do is have the strongest or tankiest characters on the head of the road when an enemy assaults, as they take probably the most harm. In the meantime, the entrance character additionally does probably the most harm with bodily assaults, whereas the rear two positions are higher suited to magic customers, holding them out of hurt’s approach. This really works very well, and makes each battle fairly strategic, with the participant needing to bear in mind when an enemy will assault and so forth.
Highly effective Summons and Strategic Skills
The second newish function present in Lifeless Dragons is that of the Wreck Gauge, which when full permits Will (or different characters who you’ll meet in your journey) to make use of a robust summon sort assault for 3 turns, or till they die, whichever comes first. Choosing the proper skills to make use of when you might have helpers handy can flip the tide of the battle. On the plus facet, when the Wreck Gauge assault is over, the remainder of your staff return absolutely healed…
A Brutal Problem
The issue with Lifeless Dragons although is within the issue, sadly. Normally, early stage KEMCO video games are simply steamrollered, with auto-battle settings being enough to defeat early foes. Lifeless Dragons is a completely totally different story, completely brutal, taking no prisoners. And this isn’t helped by the dearth of something resembling a tutorial.
For instance, I used to be actually fighting the third space within the recreation, left to poke round within the menu in an try and make some sort of distinction. It was right here the place I found a function known as “Nurture” which lets you spend factors that you’ve earned in battles to improve varied stats of your characters, be that assault or magic, therapeutic and even particular assaults. Clearly that made an enormous distinction, even when there’s nonetheless a must grind to get anyplace.
And that’s the concern with Lifeless Dragons – it’s simply too laborious and rewards with so little that it seems like banging your head towards a brick wall. I’ve performed just about all of KEMCO’s Xbox releases, however can solely actually advocate this one to hardcore masochists.
Your Hyperlinks
Purchase Lifeless Dragons on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/video games/retailer/dead-dragons/9p9x6wh4rcl0
